We went to Paco to pray at our family crypt, and everybody was there. We went to Manila South cemetery to pray for our beloved dead on my wifes side, and the place was as jampacked with people as ever before.
Our reporters called in that all the cemeteries in the Metro area were full of family members commemorating their loved ones whove "gone on ahead" although, they noted the crowds at the upper-class memorial parks were sparser.
In other "Latin" countries, the Dia de los Muertos is observed in very much the same way. We Filipinos, on the other hand, dont honor our dead on "All Souls Day", but rather on Todos los Santos or All Saints Day. This shows were confident that all of our loved ones are in the company of the saints in heaven.
Fear of bombing or the dire warnings circulated didnt dampen the observance of Halloween on Thursday either. Everywhere I went, there were hordes of kids underfoot wearing devils masks, or with satanic horns sticking up from their pointy heads, or dressed in black as vampires or witches, or in Chinese Mandarin costumes with painted moustachios (How did the Chinese look become a scary item? Were scared only of Dick Gordons anticipated hordes of Chinese infiltrators disguised as "tourists". Reminds me of the old joke: Most men smoke, but Fu Manchu. If you dont get that, youre younger than 50).
The little boys and girls were "trick or treating" all over the place, even in the Megamall which teemed with last-minute shoppers Thursday. (The malls were closed on Friday.) In our "village" in San Juan, endless groups of kids attacked our front porch, cheerfully calling out "trick or treat". They tramped all over the subdivison in battalion strength everybody had fun.
There is, of course, a great deal of poverty and tragedy in Metro Manila, and, even more so, all over the rural countryside. But its the Filipinos strength, for all our other weaknesses and disappointments, that he endures. Endures? He smiles through danger, sorrow, failure, setback, and adversity. He prays. He has faith in God and His mercy. As a reporter, Ive been to many places, including those visited by great carnage, treachery, and heartbreak on this planet. Ive marveled at the bravery, the patient courage, the gallantry of people elsewhere, even though ravaged by fate. But theres nothing like the Filipino smile (which irritates, I know, critics, detractors, and doomsayers, as well as the sympathetic whore frustrated because its inexplicable). Filipinos, men and women, smile through their tears.
This is why Im confident well win. Nothing can defeat us, not even ourselves although many of us are trying very hard to become failures. As Ive repeated ad nauseam, the Filipino is like Ivory Soap; he floats.
By cooperating with the Chengs and their PIATCO bunch, then, the President is endorsing them what other message can the public get?
Does she know that, already, big bucks are being paid just to get in line to ensure a "concession" in the projected PIATCO Terminal 3 building? Aha, thats the profitable name of the game. Not a centavo of this seems to be going to the government. (Unless the deal is "cured", on the other hand, the government may end up paying for everything.)
For instance, there is this very influential guy not to be confused with the mysterious "Alfonso Liongson" of Bacolor, Pampanga, whos completely disappeared with the more than a hundred million smackeroos he got "paid" for "consultancy" whos been circulating lately. His first name is "Emmanuel", you can guess the rest. Hes let it be known far and wide that hes the pointman of the big shots calling the shots (did I say bagman?) when it comes to allocating space for would-be concessionaires in the prospective NAIA Terminal 3. For the past six months, everytime some company or individual inquired, including those now holding concessions in NAIA 1 and 2, they were referred to Manny Baby.
This fellow is a smart dresser, addicted to expensive shoes and fancy cars. (From where else does he come? From the old Arrneow.) He doesnt exactly subscribe, it appears, to the Ateneo slogan of "a man for others", unless the others are girls, since he frequents classy night spots in Makati, Libis and Adriatico. His modus operandi in meeting potential concessionaires is to rent a function room in 5-star hotels like Makati Shangri-La or EDSA Plaza, or the Manila Pen, and other de luxe places. He used to hang out in the Via Mare in Tektite, too, but when the Senate hearings on PIATCO and Terminal 3 began to heat up, he stopped even answering his cellphone. Yet, Alikabok confirms, hes still very much in operation but more discreetly.
Its no secret that among those aspiring for concession space are quite prominent enterprises, such as Rustans, Via Mare, Starbucks, Figaro, Hariraya, Bos coffee club, Italiannis, Max's Chicken, Tinderbox, Thailand Souvenir, National Bookstore, Manila Cigar, Tabacalera, Gloria Maris, Don Henricos, St. Cinnamon, Travelers, to mention a few. Im not saying that these were among those who paid goodwill deposits, but from this tentative listing you can get the picture. Who makes the final decision? Theres a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow.
One major department store was supposed to get the entire fourth floor, by the way, but somehow this plan was derailed.
Is it true that megabucks were deposited in the name of the wife of this Lucky Guy? If the amount deposited surpassed P50 million which is way over the P4 million limit (for disclosure) set by the anti-money laundering law did the bank concerned "report" it to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Anti-Money Laundering Committee? If so, it would already have come out in the wash.
Susmariosep. This entire soap-opera is beginning to look like a Hollywood movie. One thing already seems obvious. There wont be a Hollywood-ending for the government.
According to the International Herald Tribune, Pochentong airport has been fitted out with a brand new VIP lounge for the arriving leaders of the 14 countries expected to participate in the Monday-Tuesday summit of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN).
Legions of street-sweepers are tidying up the area. Huge billboards will welcome GMA and other leaders, Reuters reveals, "depicting smiling prosperous Cambodians chatting into the latest mobile phones" (Globe or Smart? Or Docomo? Or what?). " Against a backdrop of dwindling foreign investment," the same report avers, the optimistic mantra will be touted: "Cambodia Your Investment Destination."
Alas, the IHT said: Cambodia remains "one of the poorest countries in Asia, with more than a third of its nearly 13 million people living on less than 30 US cents a day."
Dont laugh. We may be headed in that direction. Happy trip, GMA! But dont forget: Travel is fine, summits can be educational but the hard work remains here at home. This is where the battle must be fought and won.